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[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres could look to minor league arms for rotation depth; reunion with Luis Arraez possible

The San Diego Padres have a current pitching rotation of Michael King, Nick Pivetta, Joe Musgrove, Randy Vasquez and possibly JP Sears, Kyle Hart or Matt Waldron. There is still time for the Padres to add more pitching this offseason and conventional wisdom says they will. How much, is another problem altogether, especially considering the price of a good arm in the current market. If San Diego is able to add another arm in free agency, president of baseball operations and general manager A.J. Preller may not have much more money to spend, which means rotation depth may have to come from within. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball highlights two young arms, Garrett Hawkins and Miguel Mendez, who are in the minor league system as potential depth pieces for manager Craig Stammen in the 2026 season.

Padres News:

• Free agent infielder Sung-Mun Song was officially introduced as the newest member of the Padres at a video conference with the San Diego media, Tuesday. He said he is happy to be a Padre and that he is willing to fill whatever role is asked of him.
• Is a reunion between the Padres and Luis Arraez still an option? Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball thinks so and he explains why he thinks a deal between the three-time batting champion and San Diego could happen.
• Outfielder Tirso Ornelas, who has spent a significant amount of time in the minors with the Padres organization, made his MLB debut in 2025, but could not hold onto a spot on the big-league roster. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks at what Ornelas can do different in 2026.

Baseball News:

• There will be no reunion for free agent first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn and the Padres. O’Hearn signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, which is Pittsburgh’s first multi-year free agent contract since pitcher Ivan Nova in 2016.
• Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is the latest player to announce his intentions to suit up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, adding another big name to an already loaded roster.
• Eugenio Suarez is still a free agent and that could mean more teams will emerge as potential suitors if the cost for his services starts to reduce. The most recent team to consider adding Suarez is the Seattle Mariners. Suarez finished 2025 with the Mariners and helped during their playoff run.
• The Chicago Cubs added another player to their roster, agreeing to a one-year deal with reliever Jacob Webb, Tuesday.
• The White Sox added another free-agent, their second of the week, with left-hander Sean Newcomb agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, Tuesday.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ation-depth-reunion-with-luis-arraez-possible

 

[San Diego Padres]

Garrett Hawkins, Miguel Mendez ready to impress

Garrett Hawkins

There are still some upper-level prospects available to help the San Diego Padres in 2026. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller traded multiple top players from within the team’s minor league system at the trade deadline in 2025, but there are still a handful close to major-league ready to help in the coming season.

Two of those are pitchers Garrett Hawkins and Miguel Mendez. Both were added to the 40-man roster before the Rule 5 Draft for the MLB Winter Meetings. There were many of the Padres minor league prospects eligible for the Rule 5 Draft this year, but these were the two the organization felt were closest to ready (and could be stolen by other teams in the draft).

While either or both could be seen in San Diego this coming season, Hawkins could be ready coming out of Spring Training. Mendez is younger and needs some more work with his command and control. At the least, they are both depth pieces who will be waiting in the minor leagues if the Padres need them.

Garrett Hawkins

Garrett Hawkins was drafted in the ninth round of the 2021 draft by the Padres. He lost most of the season to the pandemic and began his pro career in 2022 with Low-A Lake Elsinore and High-A Fort Wayne where he posted a combined 4.74 ERA in 92 innings pitched. All of his 21 games were starts.

Hawkins experienced forearm tightness after starting the 2023 season with High-A Fort Wayne and underwent Tommy John surgery, which kept him away from pro ball until 2025. Hawkins returned to Fort Wayne with a 1.43 ERA in 32 games and 44 innings pitched as a reliever in order to limit his innings. He was promoted to Double-A San Antonio for the remainder of the season and threw in 13 games for 16 innings and had a 1.69 ERA. His combined ERA of 1.50 ERA in 60 innings pitched gave him a 9-1 record with 10 saves, 80 strikeouts and 23 walks for a .138 average against.

Hawkins previously featured a mid-90s fastball with a gyro slider and curveball. After surgery, the slider became a sweeper and his fastball velocity now reaches upper 90s mph. During the 2025 season, Hawkins had a stretch of almost four months and 34 innings allowing no runs in Fort Wayne. He had a 30.3 percent K-rate in San Antonio after his promotion.

The biggest question that remains is whether the Padres will keep him as a reliever or stretch him out as a starter. Hawkins should come to Spring Training with a chance to make the bullpen if he is brought in as a reliever. That makes the most sense for the short-term as protecting his newly repaired elbow and building him up slowly seems the safest.

At 26, 6-5 and 230 pounds, Hawkins still has time to prove himself in either role and he has shown uncommon control and command for someone coming back from UCL surgery. If his success continues, a bullpen role awaits him when the team needs him. If the Padres make any trades using bullpen arms and a spot opens up, Hawkins could very well be next in line to join the team in 2026.

Dreaming on what he could be as a starter should probably wait until 2027 to explore.

Miguel Mendez

Right-handed starter Miguel Mendez, 23, was an international amateur signed in February of 2021 out of the Dominican Republic. He began his pro career in the Dominican rookie league and made his stateside debut in 2022. Mendez struggled with control over the 2022-2024 seasons with most of his time spent in Low-A Lake Elsinore.

In 2024 he began to improve his control with a 3.86 ERA in 82 innings pitched and 20 starts. In 2025, Mendez took a big leap with a brief showing in Low-A Lake Elsinore that earned him a promotion to High-A Fort Wayne after 3 starts.

In Fort Wayne, Mendez had a 1.32 ERA in 12 games with 70 strikeouts and 24 walks in 61.1 innings pitched. That earned him a promotion to Double-A San Antonio for his last six starts. It appears Mendez ran out of gas toward the end of the season and surrendered 22 hits in 22.1 innings but still had 30 strikeouts.

Overall, he finished 2025 with a 8-7 record and 3.22 ERA in 95 innings pitched with 118 strikeouts to 45 walks across his 21 games started.

Mendez featured a 91 mph fastball when he signed that was 94-95 mph by 2023. He now sits upper 90s and can hit 100 mph with a tight slider and plus-change. At 6-2 inches and 165 pounds, Mendez is wiry and could easily add weight and muscle to his frame as he develops.

He will likely start back in San Antonio to begin the season but could be starting depth after a little more experience in the minors. Hopefully his offseason program will result in added muscle and endurance as he works his way toward a full season as a starter and gets ready for a 2026 debut in the major leagues.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...arrett-hawkins-miguel-mendez-ready-to-impress

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Sung-Mun Song could provide break for Manny Machado

San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller helped introduce free agent infielder Sung-Mun Song to the San Diego media, Tuesday. Preller was joined by San Diego manager Craig Stammen, who stated he can see Song providing depth around the diamond, adding one of his primary functions will be to serve as a sub for Manny Machado at third base. The thought over the past couple of seasons is that Machado has seen his statistics taper off toward the end of the year because of the amount of games he plays. Stammen envisions Song providing quality defense that will allow Machado to see more DH days in 2026, keeping him fresher throughout the season. Song will have to show he is ready for the role in Spring Training, especially if Preller, Stammen and the Padres are counting on him to handle those duties.

Padres News:

• Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune takes a look at Will Wagner, who joined the Padres at the 2025 MLB trade deadline. Wagner is an infielder who can play multiple positions so he and newly acquired Sung-Mun Song should compete for a roster spot and playing time throughout Spring Training.

Baseball News:

• It was reported recently that the New York Mets were showing interest in free agent outfielder Austin Hays and it has now been reported that the New York Yankees have interest in the outfielder as well.
• Reliever Pete Fairbanks, who was previously with the Tampa Bay Rays, will remain in Florida on the other side of the state after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins.
• There are still many free agents looking for work and Andrew Simon of MLB.com identifies the top 14 free agents remaining and which teams would be the best fit for each. One of the players on his list is starter Chris Bassitt and Simon thinks the Padres should add him to the rotation.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...un-song-could-provide-break-for-manny-machado

 

[San Diego Padres]

Sung-Mun Song introduced to San Diego

On Dec. 23, A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres introduced their new infielder from Korea, Sung-Mun Song. After flying to San Diego from Korea on Friday, Dec. 19, Sung signed his new contract and flew back home to Korea.

On Tuesday, the Padres introduced Song via Zoom call and he joined Preller and manager Craig Stammen addressing his future with the team. Various members of San Diego sports media asked questions during the call.

Song made a statement in English and then answered questions. He sees himself as a fill-in to the regular infielders and as a utility player in any role given to him. Song considers his increase in production the past two seasons to weight training as well as nutritional improvements.

He was motivated by seeing his former teammates coming to the US and playing in the big leagues. As a close friend of former Padre, Ha-Seong Kim, Song always wanted to make the jump but didn’t think he had the ability until he was able to improve his game. Preller added that he also sees a change in Song’s hitting technique and is now able to pull the baseball to add to his power.

Manager Craig Stammen sees Song as a versatile player who can play all over the field, including outfield. One of his main roles being relieving Manny Machado at third base to allow him to DH or just get off his feet.

Song explained that his relationship with Ha-Seong Kim influenced his decision to sign with the Padres as Kim spoke highly of his former teammates, the staff and how beautiful the city is as well as telling Song that he should challenge himself by reaching for the major leagues.

Song spoke multiple times with the Padres over the last several years and those talks included encouraging him to play multiple positions to ready himself for a chance with MLB. He also referred to his long-time admiration for Manny Machado and his desire to meet and play with him.

Song was voted KBO Player of the Year by the players association in Korea. He spoke about making an increased effort over the past few years to improve as a player and he thinks the other players recognized that effort.

Song’s walk-up song is a Korean hip-hop title by Zico titled Okey Dokey. He would like to continue to use that as his walk-up song in San Diego.

Korean journalists also participated in the call and there was a discussion of whether Song would be available to play for Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Preller stated the Padres support for the WBC and players wanting to play for their country. They will discuss it further over the next few weeks.

Journalist Jeeho Yoo asked Stammen about using Song in the outfield. Stammen sees it as a project in Spring Training and they will see how it plays out.

Song, 29, is considered a late bloomer as a possible MLB player. It should be noted that he lost almost two years of his baseball career while fulfilling his military requirement in South Korea. Although primarily signed as a utility option for the Padres, it is possible that he could play almost every day. Relieving the regular starters, coming in as a defensive replacement late in games and serving as a DH are all roles he could fill if all goes well for the Padres and Song.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-news/52268/sung-mun-song-introduced-to-san-diego

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres quiet for a day, but should make noise before 2026

The offseason has been relatively slow for the San Diego Padres. They re-signed pitcher Michael King and signed free agent Sung-Mun Song, but there has been little else to speak of since the 2025 season ended against the Chicago Cubs in the Windy City. If the months since have been slow for San Diego, the Christmas holiday brought the offseason to a screeching halt. There was no activity to speak of from the Padres despite hopes from some of the Friar Faithful that they might wake to a gift of a signing, but that was not to be. Will San Diego make a significant trade or signing before 2026? That remains to be seen, but it may be too much to ask with just five days left before the ball drops and the calendar turns to January.

Baseball News:

• If you are a fan of the longball, Shanthi Sepe-Chepuru of MLB.com has provided your offseason fix with a list of the longest home runs hit by each team in MLB. Manny Machado took the title for the Padres with a 452-foot home run edging out Gavin Sheets who hit a 451-foot home run in the same game.
• It was reported on Christmas Day that the Athletics and outfielder Tyler Soderstrom agreed to a seven-year, $86 million dollar extension. The deal was not yet confirmed by the team but was reported by multiple outlets.
• Some minor league teams have announced alternate identities for their clubs and Benjamin Hill of MLB.com provided a list with images of the names that have been announced so far.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...t-for-a-day-but-should-make-noise-before-2026

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres should look to veteran Chris Bassitt to address pitching needs

It is no secret the San Diego Padres need to add to their starting rotation.

Michael King was signed to a three-year, $75 million contract and has been the biggest free agent splash of the offseason for San Diego. He joins starters Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove, who is returning after missing the entire 2025 season recovering from elbow surgery, but the final two spots in the five-man rotation are anything but settled.

Those two spots could turn into three if the rumors about a potential trade of Pivetta comes to fruition at some point this offseason. Reports after the MLB Winter Meetings stated the Padres and the New York Mets had discussions involving several players with Pivetta being highlighted as part of a “blockbuster” deal, but those conversations have seemingly cooled. Of course, major league-ready pitching was mentioned as a possible return for San Diego, but those pitchers would have limited experience in the big leagues or no experience at all at the MLB level.

The Padres could address their pitching needs on the trade market, as San Diego has been linked to names like MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals and Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins, but no trade is imminent. However, there are quite a few free agent pitchers available.

If the Padres are willing to spend to address their pitching needs but want to stay away from the top of the market with names like Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez or Tatsuya Imai, they should consider free agent starter Chris Bassitt. The right-hander spent the 2025 season with the Blue Jays and finished 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA. He pitched 170.1 innings and compiled 166 strikeouts. Perhaps most important he started 31 games. That type of production is what the Padres need if they are going to replace Cease.

Bassitt presents as the type of pitcher that we have come to enjoy in San Diego. He is a hardnosed, intense pitcher who has a different demeanor when he takes his turn on the mound each week. He carries himself much like King, Pivetta, Musgrove and Jake Peavy before all of them. Adding another fiery arm to the rotation with the durability and success of Bassitt is something the Padres should do as soon as possible.

Bassitt has the experience of an 11-year career and while the majority of that was spent pitching in the American League, he has shown he can pitch in the National League as well as a member of the Mets in 2022. At 36 years old, Bassitt is surely looking to pitch for a contender and might not mind a short-term deal, which makes him a fit in San Diego.

Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicted Bassitt will receive a two-year, $45 million contract and listed the Padres as a potential fit in a November article. To add credibility to his predictions, Bowden had King receiving a three-year, $75 million contract and listed the Padres as potential suitors. Could San Diego and Bassitt make Bowden right again? Maybe not at $45 million but as we get closer to January that number could come down and the Padres might be able to lengthen their rotation with another free agent signing.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...teran-chris-bassitt-to-address-pitching-needs

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres add infielder, multiple minor league contracts

Yuki Matsui to pitch in WBC for Japan

With the signing of former KBO Gold Glove infielder Sung-Mun Song, the San Diego Padres added depth to their roster. Based on the experience with former Padre Ha-Seong Kim, the organization and Padres fans should not expect Song to be a starter in 2026.

Kim took a full season to fully adjust to the jump from KBO to MLB. Although the Asian leagues players and the MLB are closer together skill-wise than they used to be, there is still a gap in pitch velocity as well as movement on off-speed pitches. The offensive players have historically needed an adjustment period.

If Song is able to adjust quickly, we could see a more successful first season but keeping expectations lower would be wise. Adjusting to increased velocity as well as movement on off-speed pitches should be monitored closely as the early season progresses.

Song’s ability to spell third baseman Manny Machado and second baseman Jake Cronenworth will be mostly depend on the success of his at-bats. Manager Craig Stammen mentioned that the Padres could also use Song in the outfield. This would be explored in Spring Training, as was the case with Padres current center fielder Jackson Merrill.

While giving Padres fans early holiday gifts with signing starter Michael King and infielder Song, the Padres also added more minor league signees to add depth to the system.

José Miranda

Puerto Rican 3B/1B José Miranda, 27, was signed on Dec. 19 to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training. Miranda spent all of his career in the Minnesota Twins organization. He last played for the Twins in 2025 but was optioned to Triple-A and removed from their 40-man roster. He elected free agency in November. He played 121 games for the Twins in 2024 with a .284 batting average and .763 OPS. He finished that season with nine homers and 49 RBI.

Sodrac Franco

RHP Franco, 25, signed a minor league deal with the Padres while pitching for the Jaguares de Nayarit of the Mexican Winter League. He possesses a fastball up to 100 m.p.h. and in 18 games and 23.2 innings pitching in winter ball, he has a 0.76 ERA with a 3-0 record, 14 strikeouts, two walks and seven saves.

DJ Snelton

LHP Snelton, 33, signed a minor league contract with the Padres. Nick Sanzeri (on X) shared a video with stats on Snelton while reporting his signing on Dec. 20.

DJ Snelten, free agent
6’7, 260lbs
Fastball: 97-99mph, t100-102
Slider: 84-88
Changeup: 82-85

Reach out for additional information. pic.twitter.com/dKOZJWi7rK

— Nick Sanzeri (@SanzeriBaseball) December 20, 2025

Andrew Dalquist

RHP Dalquist, 25, was reportedly signed to a minor league contract by the Padres. He has been in Double-A Birmingham the past two seasons, playing in the Chicago White Sox organization. He had a 3.20 ERA in 2025 in 56.1 innings pitched with 50 strikeouts and 40 walks. Poor command seems to be a consistent issue for Dalquist.

Carlos Medina

RHP Medina, 21, is an international amateur sign out of Mexico for a $150,000 bonus. He sits 91-95 m.p.h. on his fastball with a slider and changeup. He could be converted to a starter and has been pitching for Jaguares de Nayarit in Mexico. Pitching as a reliever, Medina has thrown 26.1 innings in 25 games with a 3-0 record and 2.73 ERA. He has 24 strikeouts to nine walks.

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Former Padres 1B/DH Ryan O’Hearn signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not surprising that the Padres couldn’t or wouldn’t match that offer.

LHP Yuki Matsui has committed to pitch for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...add-infielder-multiple-minor-league-contracts

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Minor league moves dominate Padres’ offseason activity

The San Diego Padres have been making moves, but the majority of the moves this offseason have come at the minor league level with a few invitations to Spring Training for specific signees. San Diego has made two significant additions to its roster with one addition, Michael King, looking more like a retention. The other significant signing involved an infielder from the KBO, Sung-Mun Song, and he is unproven at the MLB level and could need time to adjust to the speed and movement of pitches in MLB. The Padres still need to add their starting rotation and while trade speculation has swirled around San Diego, additions to the pitching staff may need to come from short-term additions like the possibility of adding 36-year-old Chris Basitt. Time will tell how San Diego addresses its needs, but it is inevitable that the needs are addressed.

Baseball News:

• The Chicago Cubs continued to make additions to bolster their bullpen. According to reports, the Cubs agreed to a deal with reliever Hunter Harvey, but the move has not been officially announced by the team and is pending a physical.

• The Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins agreed to swap outfielders with the Reds acquiring Dane Myers in exchange for Ethan O’Donnell.

• Prior to the trade with the Marlins, the Reds agreed to terms on a one-year, $1.4 million deal with outfielder JJ Bleday.

• Infielder Yoan Moncado is drawing interest from several teams. He played with the Los Angeles Angels during the 2025 season and they are reportedly one of the teams interested in adding Moncada.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ague-moves-dominate-padres-offseason-activity

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres need to take flyer on Jhonkensy Noel

The San Diego Padres need to replenish their minor league system after President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller dealt away the depth at last summer’s trade deadline.

Jhonkensy Noel presents a unique low-cost, high-upside minor league signing option. He was recently designated for assignment by the Cleveland Guardians due to his struggles at the plate and high strikeout rate. Why not take a flyer on the former power-hitting prospect?

Guardians cut their losses​

What happened that caused the Guardians to discard him this winter? Noel struggled to make consistent contact, as he batted .162 with six home runs and struck out 52 times in 148 at-bats last season.

A far cry from the production he provided the Guardians in 2024. Noel hit .218 with 13 home runs and struck out 63 times in 179 at-bats. His biggest hit came in the postseason. It was a pivotal game-tying, two-run home run against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.

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A promising start to a major league career came to a halt, as his plate production fell apart in 2025. Yes, Noel continued to hit the ball hard, but he kept swinging at pitches outside the strike zone. His strikeout-to-walk ratio was 13-1 last season.

The patience was wearing thin for Noel to develop into a top home run hitter. The Guardians felt it was time to part ways.

Friars need a right-handed DH​

The designated hitter position remains unsettled, as Gavin Sheets is in the mix from the left side. Noel could become the right-handed option of a possible platoon in 2026. Why not? He is young and a tough out for left-handed pitching. Plus, Noel can launch some balls into the seats at Petco Park.

He profiles as more of a right-handed DH than a corner outfielder. The Padres need more of an athletic defender who can defend from the foul line to center field at Petco Park. Noel has trouble tracking balls hit into the gaps.

Ideally, he should begin the 2026 campaign with the Padres Triple-A affiliate in El Paso, Texas. It will be there where Noel can work on having better plate discipline. If Noel can overcome his struggles, it will help to lower his high career strikeout rate (32.8%).

To make this scenario come to fruition, the Friars will have to wait for him to clear waivers, then sign Noel to a minor league contract. Upon claiming or trading for him, he must be added to the 40-man roster immediately. Suddenly, your feel-good reclamation project vanishes away. Now, Noel must produce at the plate or have a short stay in San Diego.

The Padres finished 90-72 in 2025 and lost to the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card Series. This offseason, they were looking to add more pop to the lineup.

It is hard to believe the Friars have gone this far without adding a proven right-handed bat to the roster. Noel will cost them next to nothing to see what value he offers to the team.

He is a right-handed hitter with raw power, and developing him into his full potential would be a coup for the Padres. You achieve this without compromising your tight salary constraints. Thus, it is worth taking a flyer on Noel.

The holiday season may be ending, but the Padres could add Big Christmas before Spring Training.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...4/padres-need-to-take-flyer-on-jhonkensy-noel

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Padres one of three teams linked to Kazuma Okamoto; Potential minor league addition could impact major league roster

Kazuma Okamoto is the next position player from Japan expected to sign with an MLB team and there are some prognosticators who believe he will be a better major league player than Masataka Murakami who recently signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. Okamoto has to sign a deal prior to the Jan. 4 deadline, or he returns to his team in Japan.

It was reported Sunday that three teams are thought to be in the running for the right-handed hitting slugger. The San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates are listed as the final candidates for Okamoto’s services. He would fill a need for the Padres in that he can play first base or serve as a designated hitter. Okamoto also has experience at third base and could spell Manny Machado when he needs a day off, giving San Diego multiple options in those situations after the team signed Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song earlier this offseason.

It is unknown which way Okamoto is leaning and the majority of reporting about that is speculation. All the Padres, Angels, Pirates or any other MLB team can do is wait for word from Okamoto himself or the team that signs him.

Padres News:

• San Diego has been adding players at the minor league level throughout the offseason and Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball believes one more minor league addition could eventually pay dividends at the major league level.
• MLB.com identified a bounce back candidate for the 2026 season from each team and they settled on Jackson Merrill from the Padres. He had a difficult year because of injuries but returned to his 2024 form as the season ended. San Diego is looking for more of the same in 2026.

Baseball News:

• The Detroit Tigers were interested in signing free agent Alex Bregman last offseason and the interest remains this offseason although it may not be at the previous level.
• The Cleveland Guardians agreed to terms with pitcher Pedro Avila on a one-year split contract.
• Zach Eflin and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract that will allow him to return to the O’s for the 2026 season.
• Former Padre Nabil Crismatt agreed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers with an invitation to Spring Training.
• The Athletics announced the passing of a longtime scout who started with the organization in 1987 as a player. Will Schock, 61, was a career minor league pitcher before becoming a scout.
• Pitcher Andrew Heaney announced his retirement after 12 years in MLB and later in the day Joe Kelly followed suit and announced the end of his 13-year playing career.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...gue-addition-could-impact-major-league-roster

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Jhony Brito looking to re-establish himself after lost season in 2025

Jhony Brito came to the San Diego Padres from the New York Yankees and was one of four pitchers who came to San Diego in the trade that sent Juan Soto to New York. Brito, Michael King, Randy Vasquez and Drew Thorpe were the arms acquired in the deal and he, like King and Vasquez, had an instant impact on the 2024 roster. Thorpe did, too in a way, he was sent to the Chicago White Sox as part of the deal that made Dylan Cease a Padre. Back to Brito… he had a record of 1-2 with a 4.12 ERA in 43.2 innings pitched, exclusively as a reliever. Brito missed all of 2025, like starter Joe Musgrove, recovering from elbow surgery and will look to show he is healthy and ready to be back with the major league club in 2026. With a strong showing, Brito could pitch his way into a potential back of the rotation battle with JP Sears, Kyle Hart and Matt Waldron, but he will have to prove he is ready for such a role.

Padres News:

• Padres manager Craig Stammen said he wants to get Sung-Mun Song’s bat in the lineup and that could happen in a few ways. Traditionally, he has been a third baseman, but that role is filled by Manny Machado, he has also played second base and first base. Jake Cronenworth, at the moment, is expected to fill one of those roles, so there is potential for Song to make a significant impact early on in his tenure with San Diego. Another position he could possibly play according to Stammen is somewhere in the outfield, making him the ultimate utility player for the Padres.

Baseball News:

• Team Japan announced seven pitchers for its World Baseball Classic roster, Friday. Among the players added was Padres reliever Yuki Matsui. Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels joins Matsui and they are joined by five other pitchers all from the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization.
• Two teams thought to be in on a possible trade for Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera are reportedly no longer looking to deal for the pitcher. According to reports, the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles are not interested in trading for Cabrera.
• Boston Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello is drawing trade interest from teams around MLB. The Red Sox have said they will listen to offers and several teams could use the starter in their rotation, but one of those teams is Boston.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...e-establish-himself-after-lost-season-in-2025

 

[San Diego Padres]

Who is D.J. Snelten, and why did the Padres sign him?

Rarely is a player who last appeared in the majors nearly a decade ago projected to make an impact on a baseball season. D.J. Snelten is a hard-throwing left-handed reliever who has not played in the big leagues since 2018 with the San Francisco Giants.

The San Diego Padres signed him to a minor league contract after their scouts witnessed him regularly hitting triple digits with his fastball in the Mexican League last season. The agreement carries no financial risk for the organization, as the Padres want to take a closer look at a left-hander who throws with such high velocity.

Interesting path back to a major league organization​

Quite a journey for Snelten, as his path through the minors included nine organizational stops. He posted a 3.64 ERA with a 1.37 WHIP in 213 minor league appearances. His time in the majors was not memorable, as Snelten recorded a 10.38 ERA with a 2.77 WHIP in 4.1 innings pitched.

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Arm injuries have plagued him throughout his baseball career. Snelten suffered an elbow injury during his days at the University of Minnesota. He kept playing until going under the knife for Tommy John surgery in 2021.

The Friars are looking to add bullpen depth, as Snelten provides an experienced arm that will be on-call in the minors if an injury occurs at the major league level. Keep in mind, he has received an invitation to Spring Training, and if Snelten performs well in Peoria, the lefty could earn a spot on the Padres’ Opening Day roster.

Snelten uses unique delivery to his advantage​

Snelten’s pitching delivery offers deception with a herky-jerky upper-body motion. Add his 6-6 frame and the ability to throw in the high 90s, and suddenly, quality at-bats become few and far between for opposing lineups. Snelten’s height allows him to release the ball at a high angle that makes it difficult for hitters to track the ball coming toward home plate.

Yes, his pitching style relies on the placement of the fastball, but Snelten’s secondary pitches generate more swings and misses during an at-bat. His pitching repertoire includes a slider, sinker, and changeup.

In Mexican League play, Snelten used the changeup as his out-pitch. If a batter could get on top of the ball, they usually hit a groundball to end a scoring threat.

If he appears in the majors again, Snelten’s comeback story will be the highlight of the 2026 season. He is 33 years old and has not stood on a mound in a big league ballpark since 2018.

Most major league teams would love the opportunity to sign Snelten because of his tremendous upside. It is a low-risk investment for the Friars, as they hope to transform him into an effective left-handed reliever.

And he will be just a phone call away.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...s-d-j-snelten-and-why-did-the-padres-sign-him

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Future is uncertain for Padres; San Diego expecting big season from Jackson Merrill

This offseason arrived sooner than expected for the San Diego Padres and it has only highlighted some of the issues the team has been needing to address. The roster holes are not even the biggest issue, that title is reserved for the Seidler family exploring the sale of the team. That announcement coupled with the sudden resignation of former manager Mike Shildt provided more questions about the San Diego franchise than what the Friar Faithful expected to have following the 2025 season. Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball lays out the uncertain future of the Padres, providing insight on each area of concern for the team that calls Petco Park home.

Padres News:

• Jackson Merrill exploded onto the MLB scene in 2024 and finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting behind Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skenes. The race was so close that it created debates about whether there should be a ROY award for pitchers and for position players. Merrill followed with a sophomore season that was hampered by injury. The Padres are looking for a big season from their centerfielder in 2026.

• Kyle Hart made the San Diego roster out of Spring Training and was the lone left-hander in the rotation last season. His MLB tenure was short lived, and he was shuttled to the minors before eventually returning to the big-league team at the end of the season. Hart re-signed with San Diego this offseason and will once again challenge for a spot in the rotation in the spring.

Baseball News:

• Japanese free-agent infielder Kazuma Okamoto is has a deadline of Jan. 4 to sign a deal with an MLB team. Reports Monday stated Okamoto is meeting with suitors throughout the week. The Padres, Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates were all thought to be in the hunt, but the report stated the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox are also pursuing Okamoto.

• The Miami Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a trade that will send former Padre Esteury Ruiz from California to Florida in exchange for a prospect.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...ego-expecting-big-season-from-jackson-merrill

 

[San Diego Padres]

Padres Reacts Survey: Should San Diego try to reunite with Luis Arraez?

Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the MLB. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Padres fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

Fans of Major League Baseball would expect to see a three-time batting champion as one of the top free agents available in most years. That has not been the case this offseason with Luis Arraez still available. His hitting prowess is something to be desired by most, if not all, the teams in MLB but after a down season, the market for Arraez has been slow to develop.

Arraez seemed to be a natural fit in San Diego. After all, this is a city that loved and admired Tony Gwynn – one of the greatest hitters in the history of the sport and the dimensions of Petco Park should lend itself to a bevy of base hits and extra-base hits for Arraez. But he underperformed in 2025 and finished with a .292 average, the second lowest number in his seven-year career. Combine a poor offensive performance with unremarkable defense and it is understandable teams, including the Padres, are not lining up to sign Arraez.

The left-handed hitting infielder hit second and played first and second base for the majority of the season under former manager Mike Shildt. That was the case even after the Padres added first baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn at the trade deadline. There was some thought that O’Hearn would return to San Diego, but instead he signed a two-year, $29 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

San Diego still has a need at first base and/or second base depending on where Jake Cronenworth plays. The Padres have a new manager and lost multiple players to free agency, so a roster shakeup is to be expected. Depending on the money, would the Friar Faithful want or welcome Arraez on the 2026 roster? The Padres Reacts Survey aims to answer that question.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp...uld-san-diego-try-to-reunite-with-luis-arraez

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: New year brings same old questions for Padres regarding roster moves

The San Diego Padres watched as their former first baseman, who was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline from the Baltimore Orioles, signed a two-year, $29 million deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. With Ryan O’Hearn off the free agent board and the Padres still looking to fill their first base position, could they look to bring back Luis Arraez? When he was acquired from the Miami Marlins in 2024, Arraez was primarily a second baseman who was more known for his skills with the bat than his defense. With San Diego, Arraez spent more time at first base where, by all accounts, he improved throughout the season, but his offense struggled compared to his past seasons. Arraez remains a free agent and San Diego still has a need, could/should the Padres bring him back? That is the question posed to the Friar Faithful by Gaslamp Ball.

Padres News:

• In his latest installment of his Padres roster review, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune focuses on reliever Ron Marinaccio and how the right-hander can make the most of his opportunities in 2026.

Baseball News:

• The San Francisco Giants added to their starting rotation with the addition of free agent Tyler Mahle on a one-year deal.
• A day after the Los Angeles Angels restructured their contract with Anthony Rendon resulting in his buyout, reports have come out that the Angels are interested in adding veteran third baseman Nolan Arrenado from the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Free agent outfielder Jarred Kelenic and the Chicago White Sox have agreed to a non-roster invite deal that will allow him an opportunity to regain his former top prospect acclaim.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...d-questions-for-padres-regarding-roster-moves

 

[JJ]

Man the Padres got a LOT of question marks heading into 2026 and honestly I'm here for the chaos. That Soto trade keeps on giving though - King, Vasquez, Brito all contributing (when healthy). Brito coming back from elbow surgery is gonna be interesting to watch. Back of the rotation battles are always fun in spring training.

The D.J. Snelten signing is exactly the kind of low-risk flyer I love seeing teams take. Dude is 33, hasn't pitched in the bigs since 2018, but he's touching triple digits?? That's absolutely worth a look. Worst case scenario you're out nothing. Best case you found a diamond in the rough lefty reliever. Smart move by the Padres scouts.

As for the Arraez question - look, I get it, the guy can HIT. Three batting titles don't lie. But .292 for him is basically a slump and the defense is... let's just say it ain't pretty. With the ownership situation being what it is and the team clearly trying to figure things out, I don't know if bringing him back makes sense unless it's a team-friendly deal. They still gotta figure out what to do with Cronenworth and now they got Sung-Mun Song who can apparently play everywhere.

Jackson Merrill bouncing back healthy would be HUGE. Kid looked like a future superstar in 2024 before the injury bug hit. The NL West is gonna be a bloodbath as always so San Diego needs him right.

What do you Padres fans think - is Arraez worth another shot or move on?

 

[San Diego Padres]

Who will buy the Padres?

Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors

After the announcement by the Seidler family that they were exploring a sale of the San Diego Padres franchise, the internet was busy with suggestions of possible interested future owners. Padres fans should not anticipate a public battle with competing parties making statements. With the issues hanging over the team (read: litigation and family turmoil), it should be expected that this process will take place in back channels and without public scrutiny.

We probably won’t know who or what group will own the team until the transaction is completed and the information can’t be kept private any longer. Despite knowing that a sale is all but assured, fans will have to wait months (if not more than a year) for any real conclusion to arrive.

But that should not stop us from exploring who could be stepping up and what we could expect from those interested parties. Any thought that the sale won’t occur was dispelled by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in remarks made during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla. When asked about the possible sale of the Padres, Manfred responded:

“It’s a really appealing franchise,” Manfred said, via Evan Drellich of The Athletic. “They’ve done a great job building a fan base. The in-ballpark experience in San Diego’s probably one of our best, they’ve got some great players, and I expect there will be people that will be interested in buying.”

This leaves no doubt that he expects the team to be sold, and he gives an enthusiastic recommendation for the franchise being in San Diego. This should reassure anyone who fears the team would be bought and moved. With the second best attendance in MLB, Petco Park sold out 72 times in 81 home games. There is virtually no scenario in which MLB would consent to the team moving.

With all that being noted, what has been floated regarding the interested parties and what could come about when the team sells?

The Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels were all put up for sale in recent years but pulled off the market without a sale occurring. The Seidlers bought the team for $800 million in 2012, and it was recently valued by Forbes at $1.95 billion.

There is no way to know who the interested parties will be but a couple names were mentioned immediately.

Joe Lacob

On Dec. 2, the San Francisco Chronicle published an article floating the idea that Lacob could be interested in purchasing the Padres. This caught the attention of local and national media with Darnay Tripp of NBC7 San Diego reporting the news.

Lacob is a long-time NBA owner who purchased the Golden State Warriors in 2010 and has guided the franchise to four championships in 15 years. He was also an owner of the Boston Celtics in 2008 when they won the NBA title.

Lacob, 69, has shown that he is interested in owning an MLB franchise with his attempts to purchase both the Oakland A’s 20 years ago and the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. He offered to purchase the A’s again in 2023 and keep them in Oakland but was rebuffed.

According to Forbes, Lacob is worth $2.3 billion. Buying the Padres could be a return to Southern California for the Anaheim native. He was an Angels fan growing up and lived one mile from Angels stadium and was a peanut vendor there for seven years.

Lacob also owns the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA franchise in the Bay Area. His partner in his ownership of the Warriors, Peter Guber, is also an owner with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He would obviously not be included in a Padres ownership.

Lacob made his fortune as a venture capitalist with the investment group Kleiner Perkins, which he joined in 1987. He also founded Shapira Capital, another investment firm.

In a podcast from 2022, Lacob made it clear he is all about wining as an owner – Lacob told the Point Forward Podcast, “I’m about only one thing the rest of my life and that’s winning and winning championships. I’m maniacal, it’s all I care about. That’s it.”

In a Nov. 10 article in the San Francisco Standard, Lacob was reflecting on his ownership of the Warriors and all their success.

“I mean, how could you have more fun than this?” Lacob told The Standard. “I can’t believe these tech guys who make all these billions on AI or whatever it is, and then, I don’t know, they go buy some island and live on an island. Who cares?

“I don’t want to live on some island. I want to do other fun stuff. And fun stuff to me is the world of sports. It’s live entertainment. It’s employing people. It’s creating dreams and making dreams come true.”

That sure sounds like someone who would do right by San Diego Padres fans. It is obvious the Seidler family is unable to fulfill Peter Seidler’s vision for the Padres and San Diego. Someone like Lacob could make that dream come true.

Part 2 will outline some of the other names mentioned as possible candidates to purchase the organization.

View Link

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-diego-padres-analysis-commentary/52378/who-will-buy-the-padres

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Reported addition of D.J. Snelten could help major league roster

It was reported that the San Diego Padres signed left-handed pitcher D.J. Snelten to a minor league contract, but the team has not officially announced the signing. The addition of Snelten would give the Padres another left-handed option in the bullpen that can reach triple-digits on the radar gun. Thomas Conroy of Gaslamp Ball looks at what the reported signing of Snelten could mean to San Diego and how he might be able to impact the major league roster this season.

Padres News:

• Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune looks back at the 2025 season for the Padres and identifies the 25 moments that defined the team. How many of the moments made your list?

• Bryan Hoeing came to the Padres at the 2024 trade deadline and looked like he was going to be the potential swingman in the San Diego bullpen in 2025. However, Hoeing had shoulder issues coming out of Spring Training, and after rehab, made a brief appearance the big-league roster. Hoeing spent most of the last season in the minors and will look to return to San Diego in 2026.

Baseball News:

• NPB stars Tatsuya Imai and Kazuma Okamoto are reportedly meeting with teams interested in signing them before their respective signing deadlines in Los Angeles. Teams mentioned that have already met with one or both players are the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies.
• Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen said the trade talks surrounding second baseman Ketel Marte are coming to an end. Whether or not he will be traded is still unknown, but Hazen stated he does not want the speculation to continue into the season.
• The Los Angeles Angels and perpetually injured third baseman Anthony Rendon have reportedly agreed to restructure his contract, resulting in a buyout and deferred money, ending their relationship.
• The Angels have also agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with right-handed reliever Kirby Yates.
• The Atlanta Braves continue to build their roster with former Padres. After signing Ha-Seong Kim on a one-year deal, they added Jose Azocar on a minor league deal, Tuesday.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...of-d-j-snelten-could-help-major-league-roster

 

[San Diego Padres]

My Padres New Year’s resolutions

Happy New Year, Padres fans!

With the start of 2026, baseball fans’ minds turn to the countdown to Spring Training and Opening Day of the season. For the San Diego Padres, there is still a lot to be settled before the start of Spring Training in about six weeks. President of baseball operations/general manager A.J. Preller gave Padres fans an early holiday gift by signing starter Michael King to a three-year, $75 million contract that only guarantees one year of commitment but is an affordable $9 million maximum for 2026.

The organization also added to the bench by signing Korean infielder Sung-Mun Song to a four-year, $15 million contract that should provide bench depth at the very least. Depending on how Song adapts to MLB pitching, the versatile infielder could become a super utility or even an everyday option.

There have been a handful of players signed to minor league contracts, some with Spring Training invites, that could prove to be useful to the team in 2026. There is no doubt that more of those will be coming before the team opens the season in March. Although many of those signees in the past have disappointed, there is always the chance the Padres get another player of the quality of Gavin Sheets by taking fliers on these players.

Without knowing what the roster will look like on Opening Day (March 26, 2026), here are my thoughts on some New Year’s resolutions for the 2026 season. With first-year manager Craig Stammen and his coaching staff handling a star-filled team and inheriting a winning culture, hopes and expectations should remain high for the new season.

1. Everyone not directly involved with managing the sale of the team needs to ignore the outside noise and concentrate on playing baseball. It would be easy for the uncertain future of the team to affect thinking and concentration within baseball operations. Preller and Stammen need to prioritize focusing the players on winning. The attitude that winning fixes everything is the way to proceed.
2. Continue the style of play that the team has employed for the past two seasons. Former manager Mike Shildt might have had his issues in the organization, but his style of baseball is a winning style. Play clean, focused and energetic baseball with an emphasis on fundamentals and limiting errors. Keep the positive vibes and culture that has been established and build on that. Stammen basically said as much in the interviews following his introduction. He openly admires Shildt and pledged to build on what was already there.
3. Be smart – manage the lineup with a combination of analytics and feel. Don’t get stuck with one way of thinking with lineup building but maintain open communication with the players and be flexible. It is hard to overstate the frustration felt by many fans and media members last season when the lineup posted every game almost never changed. This despite players struggling and multiple scoring opportunities falling to the wayside with the wrong player trying to drive in runs at the plate.
4. The Luis Campusano problem has to be solved this spring. Campusano is out of options, he makes the team or has to clear waivers to stay in the organization. If he doesn’t play well during Spring Training, Preller will have to make a move. There will be no more stashing him in Triple-A. The Preller and manager (insert name) debate over Campusano will come to an end this year. The reluctance of said manager to play Campusano has been directly related to his failure to develop defensively as a catcher. If that remains a problem, then his bat will have to play to stay with the team.
5. My final thought is more a wish than a resolution. Please, no more fliers on aged, washed-up veterans who aren’t willing to retire and will sign for minimal money in order to stay on the field. This has been a problem that goes back multiple seasons for this organization. It is painful for the fans, the manager, and wastes precious time during the early season while we all wait for someone to start hitting.

---

Spring Training 2026 will be a World Baseball Classic spring and opportunities will be more prolonged for the unproven and new players coming into the organization. With multiple members of the usual roster playing in the WBC, more players will get more time to show what they can do. The list of non-roster invitees will likely be long because of the WBC. Watching the Padres try out the potential hidden gems that Preller has spent the offseason mining is always interesting.

Hope should remain high for a team with many outstanding players. New manager Stammen has a talented team to help him work through his rookie transition. It’s a new season on the horizon and there is always hope.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/gaslamp-ball-staff-editorials/52411/my-padres-new-years-resolutions

 

[San Diego Padres]

Good Morning San Diego: Resolutions for the Padres; Luis Arraez reunion would be welcomed by fans

A new year brings resolutions and Cheri Bell of Gaslamp Ball provides her resolutions for the San Diego Padres. It has been a tumultuous off season that has been painfully slow at times, but as the calendar flips from 2025 to 2026 expectations are that will change and the San Diego roster will change with it.

Padres News:

• Luis Arraez is still a free agent and the San Diego Padres still have a need at first base. In a recent Padres Reacts Survey on Gaslamp Ball, readers overwhelmingly were in favor of a re-union with their former first baseman.
• Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune continues his review of the Padres roster with a look at outfielder Bryce Johnson. He is out of options and with the starting outfield set with Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill and Ramon Laureano, he will be vying for a bench role in 2026.

Baseball News:

• There is plenty of speculation with the deadline for Japanese free agent Kazuma Okamoto to sign with an MLB team is less than 48 hours away. He has several suitors, but the contract lengths and the amount of money discussed in each scenario are unknown. The should change soon.
• The Houston Astros signed Tatsuya Imai and there is some consideration that the Astros could now look to the trade market to complete their 2026 roster.
• The Colorado Rockies have not had much success on the field, but that does not mean their players are not coveted by other MLB teams. Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors looks at which Rockies players could be most intriguing to potential trade partners.
• It is never too early to look ahead to the 2026 season and Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com predicts which players will earn awards over the next season.
• The Minnesota Twins and the Miami Marlins agreed to a trade that will send first baseman Eric Wagaman from Miami to Minnesota.

Source: https://www.gaslampball.com/san-die...luis-arraez-reunion-would-be-welcomed-by-fans